The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-05-18
ONLY A STUDENT.
A Mere Tyro In the Science of
Phrenology.

- AAA SA~SsSSSs
How "Young Person" Attempted to Edu-
cate One "Pistol Billy" and why
"Tom" Became an Enthusiastic
Follower OF Fowler.
1t is not ordinarily supposed that
the sciences of phrenology and bunko
steering are at all related. Recent
events, however. seem to indicate
strong relationship and an incident
bearing upon the fact is being humor-
ously discussed in the clubrooms up
town. The chief actors are short
card gentleman by the name of "Pis-
tol Billy and the son of a substantial
Brooklyn citizen who consents to
sadorn desk in prominent life insur-
ance company's Office in this city.
"Pistol Billy" is a middle-sized, slen-
der, and symmetrical man of thirty
years, very quiet and neat in his at
tire. with light hair. light mustache,
and small steel-blue eye, pair of
them, in fact, which are the only indi-
cations Of the keenness and nerve
which in several little encounters in
Nevada gained him his sobriquet. His
quickness in tight place is said to be
some thing extraordinary. His rapid
fashion Of gauging man mentally,
morally. and physically is part of his
business as faro dealer and is pur-
suit of his own from choice. All gam
blers are quick readers Of human nat
ure, but in this art BILLY" probably
stands without peer.
He was riding in a South Brooklyn
horse-car one day Of week before last,
when a young man took seat beside
him. Billy was idly gazing at the row
of passengers seated opposite, when a
voice said:
Studying faces"
BILLY" turned and saw that the re-
mark came from the young man and
was addressed to him. 1t was some
what important young man; one of
those young men who are never quite
comfortable unless they are making an
impression on somebody or something;
the kind of young man who would un-
consciously twist his fuzzy but promis-
ing mustache in passing the Bartholdi
statue and furtively inspect the bronze
young lady out of the corner of his eye
to see if she showed any signs of APP
probation. "Billy" took the young
statesman in at glance. and nodded.
He is always polite.
II like it." said the young person.
emphatically.
"Pm always reading faces. See that
man next to the lady in the cornerp
He's a student. He'll always be bent
over like that. His stomach muscles
have already given out and he'll always
bend. That man next to HIM has smil-
ing eyes, hasn't hep Can you read
facesp"
NO." said Billy" looking with
babe like admiration upon his instruct
or.
you ought to learn. It's splendid
practice. Get Fowler & Wells's book;
it'll help you; lots. ~
'Indeed?' said Billy" charmed
with the idea.
81 could read your face" said the
young person.
Il wish you would" said pistol
Billy"
Don't you know your character?"
mo; l wish did," and he meant
this.
WELL" said the young person,
your eyebrows are q little light.
Lack of individuality. Nose is good, !"
he continued slowly, pursuing up his
lips with critical deliberation. "Chin
is good, too. But your mouth is weak.
Those lines around the corners indicate
small resolution"
"Ah" SAID Billy" saddened.
"Yon ought to learn your character,
You know" said the young person
patronizingly, $50 that you can learn
to govern yourself That's the first
thing learned; to govern myself"
"Ah," said Billy" in genuine adj
miration.
Its very handy, you know, in my
business. I'm in the life insurance
business. That's my company"
He handed BILLY" a card of the
"Allgemeine Leberwurst Life Insurance
Company" the name of the company
being almost effaced by his own print
ed across it in red ink.
They travelled together across the
ferry and shook hands at the wharf,
Billy saying that he would try and inn
prove himself if the young person
thought it was any use. Then the
phrenologist and physiognomist went
to his office. and Billy went up
town. Somewhere on Thirty-fourth
street he met friend, a young man
who looked like theological student,
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